US7104743B2 - Vacuum receiver with positive dump valve control - Google Patents

Vacuum receiver with positive dump valve control Download PDF

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Publication number
US7104743B2
US7104743B2 US10/872,788 US87278804A US7104743B2 US 7104743 B2 US7104743 B2 US 7104743B2 US 87278804 A US87278804 A US 87278804A US 7104743 B2 US7104743 B2 US 7104743B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
valve
vacuum receiver
vacuum
receiver according
outlet
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US10/872,788
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English (en)
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US20050019108A1 (en
Inventor
Donald D. Rainville
Robert R. Crawford
Leonard Paquette
William Goldfarb
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Universal Dynamics Inc
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Universal Dynamics Inc
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Priority to US10/872,788 priority Critical patent/US7104743B2/en
Assigned to UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS, INC. reassignment UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CRAWFORD, ROBERT E., PAQUETTE, LEONARD, RAINVILLE, DONALD D., GOLDFARB, WILLIAM
Publication of US20050019108A1 publication Critical patent/US20050019108A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7104743B2 publication Critical patent/US7104743B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
    • B65G53/04—Conveying materials in bulk pneumatically through pipes or tubes; Air slides
    • B65G53/24—Gas suction systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
    • B65G53/34—Details
    • B65G53/60—Devices for separating the materials from propellant gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/04—Bulk
    • B65G2201/042—Granular material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a new pneumatic conveying receiver with positive dump valve control, particularly for used as a vacuum receiver for a pneumatic conveying systems for conveying a particulate material, such as plastic pellets.
  • a pneumatic transport system is the preferred method of bulk material handling. It allows the movement of a wide variety of materials through a simple tubular piping system.
  • a power source such as a fan or blower, a source of material, a termination receiver, the connecting tube from the source to the receiver, and then on to the vacuum power unit, and a control device.
  • a simple system will load the individual receiver by engaging the air mover and allowing the source material to feed into the pickup end of the pipe, and separate at the receiver. This is done as a batch process to minimize costs associated with the valving of the material removal at the discharge of the receiver.
  • a typical construction of these units has an actuator, either air or electric to connect the receiver to the pneumatic power source, and a power operated discharge valve with a second actuator to discharge the conveyed product from the vessel. It is known to use air cylinders to provide power for operation of these valves, but when there are two separate functions, there are always two separate power units to maneuver the valves. The market for these devices is very cost sensitive, however, and if two air operators are used, the expense of the second actuator represents a significant cost disadvantage. In the exceptionally price competitive market of basic pneumatic conveying systems, the additional cost of an actuated discharge valve at each termination point can become prohibitive.
  • the expense of the second actuator may be avoided by using an un-powered, gravity-operated dump valve.
  • a gravity operated discharge valve will allow the conveyed material to drop from the receiver after the vacuum dissipates when each batch has been completed.
  • the lack of a positive actuation of the common gravity operated material dump valve mechanisms also leads to problems. In some cases this gravity operated valve will be blocked by stray granules of the material being handled, and consequently not transport a batch during the load cycle. Not infrequently such valves fail to properly seal due to the lack of a positive closing force. This failure to seal can prevent build-up of the necessary vacuum to draw further material from the pellet source to the vacuum receiver.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum receiver with a positive dump valve control, which is inexpensive to produce and yet allows the vessel lid to be readily removed to facilitate cleaning of the receiving vessel.
  • a vacuum receiver for a pneumatic conveying system comprising a receiving vessel having a material inlet, a material outlet and a conveying gas outlet; a conveying gas valve for selectively opening and closing said conveying gas outlet; a discharge valve for selectively opening and closing said material outlet; and a single actuator for actuating said convey gas valve and said discharge valve.
  • a single air operator is arranged in a unique way to actuate both the a valve connecting the vacuum receiver to a pneumatic power (vacuum) source and to actuate a positively operated dump valve for emptying the receiver into a hopper.
  • the design of the terminal end of a pneumatic conveyor for granular bulk solids comprises a vessel with a material inlet, an air/material separator, an air outlet and a material outlet.
  • the material outlet on the receiver is not a gravity operated dumping valve. Instead, a power actuated valve is employed as a more positive device.
  • the vacuum receiver according to the invention uses a single operator with two attachment positions for both a vacuum sequence valve and an internal positive acting material dump valve.
  • the method to accomplish this relies on the use of an air operated actuator for movement of both sealing devices. Positioning each of the seals in such a manner that the air cylinder will seat and seal its respective opening before reaching the end of the cylinder stroke affords a positive seal while still accommodating any small dimensional changes in the assembly or misalignment of components.
  • the lower conical portion of the vacuum receiver as the dump valve seat, it will automatically guide the seal to full contact with the cone.
  • the upper air sequence valve seal is provided with a soft contact attachment so any minimal angular misalignment will be overcome.
  • Another important feature of the new device is that the whole mechanism is mounted on the lid of the receiver so it removes with the lid allowing complete access to the internal surfaces of the chamber for cleaning.
  • An additional benefit of a single actuator is that it avoids the use of two devices, and the attendant opportunity for breakage or other malfunction.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a vacuum receiver according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the vacuum receiver embodiment of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dual valve arrangement of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention provided with a glass tube chamber for monitoring the inventory of particulate material in the vacuum receiver.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a vacuum receiver according to the invention.
  • the vacuum receiver 10 comprises a receiving vessel 12 having a material inlet 14 , a material outlet 20 and a conveying gas outlet 36 .
  • Receiving vessel 12 is preferably a funnel bottom vessel, with the material outlet 20 disposed at the bottom of the funnel portion of the vessel.
  • a lid 26 is provided for the top of the vessel. In the illustrated embodiment, lid 26 is held in place by a plurality of clamps 30 , although it will be recognized that any suitable fastening mechanism could be used to affix the lid to the receiving vessel.
  • a conveying gas source 40 such as a vacuum pump, is connected via a connecting tube 38 to the conveying gas outlet 36 .
  • Material inlet 14 is connected to a granular material source 16 via a connecting tube 18 .
  • a mounting flange 32 is secured to receiving vessel 12 to facilitate mounting the receiving vessel in a desired position above a receiving hopper 24 , which may, for example, be a supply hopper for a plastic molding machine.
  • FIG. 2 which is a sectional view of the vacuum receiver 10 , a screen 34 is provided in front of the conveying gas outlet 36 .
  • Screen 34 serves to separate conveyed particles, e.g. plastic pellets, from a stream of conveying gas, e.g. air, inside the vacuum receiver.
  • a lid seal 28 which is disposed between the receiving vessel 12 and the receiver lid 26 in order to provide a gas-tight closure.
  • a conveying gas valve member 46 is provided in order to open and close the conveying gas outlet 36 .
  • a material discharge valve member 52 is provided to open and close the material outlet 20 at the bottom of the receiving vessel 12 .
  • Conveying gas valve member 46 and material discharge valve member 52 are both connected to a common valve rod 44 .
  • the valve rod is connected to an actuator 42 , such as a compressed air cylinder, by which valve rod 44 can be extended or retracted.
  • actuator 42 such as a compressed air cylinder
  • extension of valve rod 44 moves conveying gas valve member 46 downwardly in order to unblock the conveying gas outlet 36 .
  • Extension of valve rod 44 also moves material discharge valve member 52 downwardly to a position in which is seats firmly against the lower walls of the funnel portion of the receiving vessel 12 , thereby closing material outlet 20 .
  • the vacuum pump which serves as conveying gas source 40 is switched on to draw a stream of air out of the vacuum receiver 10 , so that a reduced pressure is created therein.
  • the reduced pressure in vacuum receiver 10 draws granular material entrained in a stream of conveying gas from granular material source 16 through connecting tube 18 and material inlet 14 into the vacuum receiver 10 .
  • An accumulation of granular material 22 is shown in the bottom of receiving vessel 12 .
  • Screen 34 prevents any of the granular material 22 from passing with the conveying gas through conveying gas outlet 36 .
  • a controller 48 is actuated to admit compressed air from a compressed air source 50 to the bottom of air cylinder 42 so that valve rod 44 is retracted, or in other words raised. This moves conveying gas valve member 46 upwardly over the mouth of the conveying gas outlet 36 , thereby blocking the flow of conveying gas and terminating the pneumatic transfer of granular material from granular material source 16 into the vacuum receiver 10 .
  • valve rod 44 also moves material discharge valve member 52 to a raised position, so that material discharge 20 is opened, and the granular material 22 can flow out of the receiving vessel 12 , thereby delivering a desired batch of the granular material 22 into receiving hopper 24 .
  • controller 48 is again actuated, this time to deliver compressed air from compressed air source 50 to the top of air cylinder 42 , thereby driving valve rod 44 downwardly to its extended position. This urges the material discharge valve member 52 with a positive force against the mouth of the funnel bottom of receiving vessel 12 , thereby tightly closing the material outlet 20 .
  • conveying gas outlet valve member 46 is moved downwardly away from the entrance to conveying gas outlet 36 , thereby enabling the vacuum pump 40 to draw a new stream of conveying gas with entrained granular material 22 from granular material source 16 into the vacuum receiver 10 .
  • lid 26 If it is necessary to clean the vacuum receiver, for example if the vacuum receiver is to be switched to a different source of plastic pellets, this may be easily accomplished by removing lid 26 . Since the actuator 42 , valve rod 44 , conveying gas valve member 46 and material discharge valve member 52 are all connected to lid 26 , they will all be moved out of the way when the lid 26 is removed, thereby providing unhindered access to the receiving vessel 12 for cleaning.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the valve assembly of the invention showing how the conveyance air valve member 46 and the dump valve member 52 are both mounted on a common valve rod 44 .
  • Dump valve member 52 has a conical configuration to achieve a positive conic seal with the funnel bottom of receiver vessel 12 when valve rod 44 is urged downwardly by actuator 42 .
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the vacuum receiver of the invention in which like parts are identified by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 .
  • the operation of this embodiment is essentially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 .
  • the funnel bottom of receiving vessel 12 is provided with a glass tube chamber to enable monitoring of the particulate material in the apparatus.
  • the funnel bottom of the receiving vessel is provided with an upper clamping flange 54 , which in turn, is connected to a lower clamping flange 56 by a plurality of rods 58 .
  • the bottom clamping flange 56 is connected to a support base or mounting base 62 .
  • a transparent glass tube 60 is clamped between the upper and lower clamping flanges 54 and 56 . If desired, resilient seal members (not shown) may be arranged between the clamping flanges and the glass tube to assure that the system remains vacuum tight. Transparent glass tube 60 allows visual observation of the supply of particulate material in the vacuum receiver.
  • the glass tube chamber is typically sized to maintain five shots or five minutes of material at the feed throat of the apparatus. Easy access to the glass tube chamber for cleaning or other purposes may be obtained by simply unscrewing the rods 58 .
  • the glass tube chamber 60 optionally may be provided with a level sensor 66 mounted in a sensor support bracket 64 .
  • Sensor 66 can provide a control signal to operate the vacuum valve to fill and empty the receiving vessel 12 .
  • Sensor support bracket 64 is movably mounted on one or more of the support rods 58 so that it can be raised or lowered as needed to adjust the position of the level detector and the amount of particulate material maintained in the glass tube chamber 60 .
  • a thumb screw 68 is provided to hold the bracket 64 and sensor 66 at the desired level, but any other suitable clamping arrangement could be used instead.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Transport Of Granular Materials (AREA)
  • Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Fluid-Driven Valves (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
US10/872,788 2003-06-23 2004-06-22 Vacuum receiver with positive dump valve control Expired - Fee Related US7104743B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/872,788 US7104743B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2004-06-22 Vacuum receiver with positive dump valve control

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US48023203P 2003-06-23 2003-06-23
US10/872,788 US7104743B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2004-06-22 Vacuum receiver with positive dump valve control

Publications (2)

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US20050019108A1 US20050019108A1 (en) 2005-01-27
US7104743B2 true US7104743B2 (en) 2006-09-12

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Family Applications (1)

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US10/872,788 Expired - Fee Related US7104743B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2004-06-22 Vacuum receiver with positive dump valve control

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US7104743B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1491470B1 (de)
CN (1) CN1576204A (de)
AT (1) ATE356065T1 (de)
DE (1) DE502004003104D1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080025801A1 (en) * 2006-07-27 2008-01-31 Newbolt Richard E Vacuum modulating air control valve apparatus
US20080283454A1 (en) * 2006-03-13 2008-11-20 Muniak Michael J Water softener salt loading system
US20130220477A1 (en) * 2012-02-29 2013-08-29 Caneel Associates, Inc. Container filling apparatus and method
US11208311B2 (en) * 2016-09-29 2021-12-28 Krones Ag Device for influencing the volume flow of a filling product in a filling system

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CN102774657A (zh) * 2005-12-07 2012-11-14 马里凯普有限公司 喷射器设备
DE102009015271B4 (de) * 2009-04-01 2014-04-03 Protec Polymer Processing Gmbh Bearbeitungseinrichtung für Schüttgut
CN202063558U (zh) * 2011-05-16 2011-12-07 北京赛德丽科技股份有限公司 一种底部快速真空进粉料装置
CN202063559U (zh) * 2011-05-16 2011-12-07 北京赛德丽科技股份有限公司 一种底部真空自动进粉料装置
CN104210852B (zh) * 2013-05-30 2016-12-28 欧才权 间排型连续式真空上料机
ITVR20130246A1 (it) * 2013-11-19 2015-05-20 Aaco Mfg S R L Dispositivo di caricamento di un combustibile in un'apparecchiatura di riscaldamento
CN104401757A (zh) * 2014-11-14 2015-03-11 北京中持绿色能源环境技术有限公司 用于有机废弃物干式厌氧发酵系统的真空出料装置
EP3286089B1 (de) 2015-04-22 2019-08-07 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Vorrichtung und verfahren zum füllen eines produkts in einen behälter
CN105819230A (zh) * 2015-08-10 2016-08-03 常州市华晟福涛光电科技有限公司 一种自动真空上料装置及其应用
CN105312509B (zh) * 2015-09-30 2017-12-22 芜湖新兴铸管有限责任公司 一种管模粉喷洒机的工作方法
CN109499976A (zh) * 2018-12-28 2019-03-22 东莞市沃德精密机械有限公司 电池清洗设备
CN111591770B (zh) * 2020-05-24 2021-07-06 贺州市民安塑胶有限公司 一种用于改性塑料粒子加工的输料吸料设备
US20240000663A1 (en) * 2020-12-11 2024-01-04 Merck Sharp & Dohme Llc Compact containment system for isolating, processing and packaging pharmaceutical products
WO2022125363A1 (en) * 2020-12-11 2022-06-16 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Apparatus and method for collecting dried pharmaceutical product from a pharmaceutical drying device

Citations (9)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2992858A (en) * 1958-12-02 1961-07-18 Vac U Max System for conveying fluent material
US4492294A (en) * 1980-03-03 1985-01-08 The W. W. Sly Manufacturing Co. Bulk conveyor apparatus
US4756348A (en) * 1986-08-07 1988-07-12 Hydreclaim Corporation Control apparatus for plastic blending machinery
US5019250A (en) * 1989-09-08 1991-05-28 Lorenzen Walter C Automatic chemical dispenser
CH688753A5 (it) 1994-02-21 1998-02-27 Peteroa Engineering Limited Dispositivo per il trasferimento di polveri.
US6231273B1 (en) * 1998-04-16 2001-05-15 Alstom France Sa Fuel particle separator disposed upstream from a boiler, and provided with an isolating valve member
DE10024428A1 (de) 2000-05-19 2001-11-22 Mann & Hummel Protec Gmbh Filterlose Förderstation für Mehrstellenfördersysteme
US6394708B1 (en) 2000-05-09 2002-05-28 Prab, Inc. Receiver for pneumatic conveyor
US6802685B1 (en) * 1999-02-23 2004-10-12 Bernd Federhen Device and method for inwardly transferring bulk material into a pneumatic conveyor line

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2992858A (en) * 1958-12-02 1961-07-18 Vac U Max System for conveying fluent material
US4492294A (en) * 1980-03-03 1985-01-08 The W. W. Sly Manufacturing Co. Bulk conveyor apparatus
US4756348A (en) * 1986-08-07 1988-07-12 Hydreclaim Corporation Control apparatus for plastic blending machinery
US5019250A (en) * 1989-09-08 1991-05-28 Lorenzen Walter C Automatic chemical dispenser
CH688753A5 (it) 1994-02-21 1998-02-27 Peteroa Engineering Limited Dispositivo per il trasferimento di polveri.
US6231273B1 (en) * 1998-04-16 2001-05-15 Alstom France Sa Fuel particle separator disposed upstream from a boiler, and provided with an isolating valve member
US6802685B1 (en) * 1999-02-23 2004-10-12 Bernd Federhen Device and method for inwardly transferring bulk material into a pneumatic conveyor line
US6394708B1 (en) 2000-05-09 2002-05-28 Prab, Inc. Receiver for pneumatic conveyor
DE10024428A1 (de) 2000-05-19 2001-11-22 Mann & Hummel Protec Gmbh Filterlose Förderstation für Mehrstellenfördersysteme

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080283454A1 (en) * 2006-03-13 2008-11-20 Muniak Michael J Water softener salt loading system
US7815794B2 (en) 2006-03-13 2010-10-19 Michael J Muniak Water softener salt loading system
US20080025801A1 (en) * 2006-07-27 2008-01-31 Newbolt Richard E Vacuum modulating air control valve apparatus
US7740423B2 (en) * 2006-07-27 2010-06-22 Mac Equipment, Inc. Vacuum modulating air control valve apparatus
US20130220477A1 (en) * 2012-02-29 2013-08-29 Caneel Associates, Inc. Container filling apparatus and method
US8701721B2 (en) * 2012-02-29 2014-04-22 Caneel Associates, Inc. Container filling apparatus and method
US20140174589A1 (en) * 2012-02-29 2014-06-26 Caneel Associates, Inc. Container filling apparatus and method
US8985164B2 (en) * 2012-02-29 2015-03-24 Caneel Associates, Inc. Container filling apparatus and method
US10611506B2 (en) 2012-02-29 2020-04-07 Gfy Products, Llc Container filling apparatus and method
US11208311B2 (en) * 2016-09-29 2021-12-28 Krones Ag Device for influencing the volume flow of a filling product in a filling system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1491470A1 (de) 2004-12-29
EP1491470B1 (de) 2007-03-07
ATE356065T1 (de) 2007-03-15
DE502004003104D1 (de) 2007-04-19
CN1576204A (zh) 2005-02-09
US20050019108A1 (en) 2005-01-27

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Owner name: UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS, INC., VIRGINIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:RAINVILLE, DONALD D.;CRAWFORD, ROBERT E.;PAQUETTE, LEONARD;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:015850/0041;SIGNING DATES FROM 20041003 TO 20041004

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Effective date: 20100912